Radiation Therapy Essay

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Introduction
Radiation therapy is a complex treatment plan to treat cancer in patients. Its treatment can be used alone or in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is delivered by a team of individuals who specialize in the treatment of cancer. There are several ways in which the radiation can be delivered to the patient with specialized equipment. Radiation therapy is an exciting field of study that can be beneficial to patients who are affected by cancer.
Treatment Options For cancer patients there are several treatment options. Surgery can remove cancerous tumors, chemotherapy uses drugs for treatment, and radiation therapy. The doctor in charge of the patient’s treatment may also choose to use radiation therapy. “Radiation …show more content…

The team includes a radiation oncologist, radiation physicist, dosimetrist, radiation therapist, and a radiation therapy nurse. Each member of the team has a specific role in the treatment of each patient. “The radiation oncologist is a doctor specially trained to treat cancer patients with radiation.” (American Cancer Society p. 4) The oncologist will work with the dosimetrist to determine the plan for treatment. “The radiation physicist is the person who makes sure the radiation equipment is working as it should and that it gives you the dose prescribed by your radiation oncologist.” (American Cancer Society p. 4) “The dosimetrist is supervised by the radiation physicist, this person helps the radiation oncologist plan the treatment.” (American Cancer Society p. 4) “The radiation therapist is the person who operates the radiation equipment and positions you for treatment.” (American Cancer Society p. 4) Every member of the team is important to ensure the treatment is delivered safely and effectively as …show more content…

“External radiation uses a machine that directs high-energy rays from outside the body into the tumor and some normal nearby tissue.” (American Cancer Society p. 5) After this treatment the patient will not be radioactive, but treatment is delivered in small doses and can last several weeks. “Internal radiation or brachytherapy, uses a radioactive source, called an implant, that’s put inside the body in or near the tumor.” (American Cancer Society p. 9) It may be placed in an organ or in the cancerous tumor. The patient will be radioactive for a short time. Due to the implant being near the source of cancer a larger dose can be delivered to the patient. “Systemic radiation uses radioactive drugs to treat certain type of cancer.” (American Cancer Society p. 12) The drugs used are called radiopharmaceuticals and can be delivered orally or intravenously. “They collect where the cancer is to give off their radiation and kill the cancer cells.” (American Cancer Society p. 12) After this treatment the patient will be radioactive, and will take a few days to be removed from the patients

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